The concept of disappointment is woven throughout the biblical narrative, often reflecting the human experience of unmet expectations and the resulting emotional response. In the Scriptures, disappointment can be seen in various contexts, including personal relationships, unfulfilled promises, and spiritual expectations.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, disappointment is frequently associated with the failure of human plans and the realization of human limitations. For instance, in the account of Job, we see a man who experiences profound disappointment due to the loss of his family, wealth, and health. Job's lamentations reflect a deep sense of disappointment with his circumstances and a struggle to understand God's purposes (Job 3:1-26).

The Psalms also capture the theme of disappointment, often in the form of lament. Psalm 42:5 expresses a soul's turmoil: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence." Here, the psalmist acknowledges the feeling of disappointment but redirects his hope towards God.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets frequently addressed the disappointment of Israel due to unmet expectations of deliverance and restoration. In Isaiah 49:23 , the Lord promises, "Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame." This assurance counters the disappointment of the exiled Israelites, reminding them of God's faithfulness and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, disappointment is often linked to the misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom. The disciples experienced disappointment when Jesus spoke of His impending death, as they expected a political Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman rule (Matthew 16:21-23).

The account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35 illustrates this theme. They express their disappointment, saying, "But we were hoping that He was the One who would redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). Jesus' subsequent revelation of His resurrection transforms their disappointment into joy and renewed faith.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, disappointment in the Bible often serves as a catalyst for deeper trust in God. It reveals the limitations of human understanding and the necessity of relying on God's wisdom and timing. Romans 5:5 states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." This verse underscores the idea that true hope, rooted in God's love, transcends earthly disappointments.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to navigate disappointment by trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This trust involves surrendering personal expectations and embracing God's greater plan.

In summary, while disappointment is a common human experience, the Bible offers a framework for understanding and overcoming it through faith in God's promises and the hope of His eternal plan.1. (v. t.) To defeat of expectation or hope; to hinder from the attainment of that which was expected, hoped, or desired; to balk; as, a man is disappointed of his hopes or expectations, or his hopes, desires, intentions, expectations, or plans are disappointed; a bad season disappoints the farmer of his crops; a defeat disappoints an enemy of his spoil.

2. (v. t.) To frustrate; to fail; to hinder of result.

DISAPPOINT

dis-a-point': "To disappoint" may be used transitively or intransitively. In the former case it naturally has a more forceful meaning. Therefore the Revised Version (British and American) changes the translation of the King James Version wherever "disappoint" is used with an object: Job 5:12, "frustrateth"; Psalm 17:13, "confront him," the Revised Version, margin "forestall"; Judith 16:6, "brought them to nought"; but the Revised Version (British and American) retains "disappoint" where the person wh disappoints is not expressed. Compare Proverbs 15:22.

2617b. kataischuno -- to put to shame, to disgrace
... Word Origin from kata and aischuno Definition to put to shame, to disgrace NASB
Word Usage disappoint (1), disappointed (3), disgraces (2), humiliated (1), put ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2617b.htm - 5k3584. kachash -- to disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean
... kachash. 3585 . to disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean. Transliteration: kachash
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-khash') Short Definition: deny. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/3584.htm - 6k

6923. qadam -- to come or be in front, meet
... go, flee before, disappoint, meet, prevent. A primitive root; to project
(one self), ie Precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet ...
/hebrew/6923.htm - 6k

6565. parar -- to break, frustrate
... break asunder, cast off, cause to cease, clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint,
A primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively ...
/hebrew/6565.htm - 5k

On Grieving the Holy Spirit
... all holiness, than to consider with what temper of soul we are to entertain his
divine presence; so as not either to drive him from us, or to disappoint him of ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 138 on grieving the.htm

Letter cxxv. (AD 411. )
... They, therefore, are guilty of perjury, who, while adhering to the letter of their
promise, disappoint the known expectation of those to whom their oath was ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxv a d 411.htm

December 26. "The Spirit that Dwelleth in us Lusteth to Envy" ...
... the highest will of God, and to receive from us the truest love for Christ, our
Divine Husband, that He becomes jealous when in any way we disappoint Him, or ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /december 26 the spirit that.htm

Practical Effects of Practical Truth
... business. John dreaded to disappoint him, yet stronger and stronger grew the
call of that inner voice which now all but dominated him. ...
/.../chapter ix practical effects of.htm

What are Consequences of Backsliding in Heart.
... disappointments. Having forsaken God, and taken the attitude of self-will, God
will inevitably disappoint him as he pursues his selfish ends. ...
/.../finney/the backslider in heart/iv what are consequences of.htm

Seeking Jesus
... You fish your prize out of the great ocean, and when you have it, does it disappoint,
or does it fulfil, the raised expectations of the quest? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/seeking jesus.htm

{24A} Upon the Love of Our Neighbour. Preached on Advent Sunday.
... love engrosses us, and prevails over all other principles; or whether the contracted
affection may not possibly be so prevalent as to disappoint itself, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon xi 24a upon the.htm

Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth ...
... 4. Nor do they rest with confidence upon him in all difficulties, as being
the truth that will not fail them, nor disappoint them. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xii some general uses.htm

Opposition to Messiah in Vain
... offices, as your Prophet, Priest, and King, is a point of experience; if you have,
He knows it; for He enabled you to do it and He will not disappoint the hope ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiv opposition to messiah.htm

Sight Given to the Blind.
... it is only through us and others that God works, and that when we pass by a needy
person we prevent God's love from reaching him, and disappoint the purpose of ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xx sight given to the.htm

Disappoint (2 Occurrences)
...DISAPPOINT. dis-a-point': "To disappoint" may be used transitively or intransitively.
In the former case it naturally has a more forceful meaning. ...
/d/disappoint.htm - 8k

Infallible (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Not liable to fail, deceive, or disappoint; indubitable; sure; certain;
as, infallible evidence; infallible success; an infallible remedy. ...
/i/infallible.htm - 7k

Fail (130 Occurrences)
... insolvent. 10. (vt) To be wanting to ; to be insufficient for; to disappoint;
to desert. 11. (vt) To miss of attaining; to lose. 12. ...
/f/fail.htm - 43k

False.
... promises. 3. (superl.) Not according with truth or reality; not true; fitted
or likely to deceive or disappoint; as, a false statement. 4 ...
/f/false..htm - 16k

Frustrate (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bring to nothing; to prevent from attaining a purpose; to disappoint;
to defeat; to baffle; as, to frustrate a plan, design, or attempt; to ...
/f/frustrate.htm - 10k

Faithless (46 Occurrences)
... or a wife. 5. (a.) Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAITHLESS. fath'-les ...
/f/faithless.htm - 20k

Disappears (4 Occurrences)

/d/disappears.htm - 7k

Destitute (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To make destitute; to cause to be in want; to deprive; -- followed by of.
5. (vt) To disappoint. Multi-Version Concordance Destitute (25 Occurrences). ...
/d/destitute.htm - 13k

Delude (2 Occurrences)
... to make a fool of. 2. (vt) To frustrate or disappoint. Multi-Version
Concordance Delude (2 Occurrences). Colossians 2:4 Now this ...
/d/delude.htm - 7k

Deceive (48 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To mislead; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true;
to impose upon; to mislead; to cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to ensnare. ...
/d/deceive.htm - 22k

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